12-2-2024 (NAIROBI) Tributes flood in for Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, following his tragic demise in a road accident, alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, on Sunday.
Kiptum, aged 24, who clinched victory in the London Marathon in April and later set the world record in Chicago in October, reportedly lost control of his vehicle whilst driving in Kaptagat, located in south-west Kenya, at 11 pm local time, according to police reports.
Kenya’s Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, expressed his condolences, stating on social media platform X, formerly Twitter: “Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, world record holder and Kenyan athletics icon. Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
Echoing the sentiments, Kenya’s Minister for Sports, Ababu Namwamba, shared on X: “Devastatingly sickening! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.”
Sebastian Coe, the President of World Athletics, conveyed his shock and sadness, saying he was “shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kiptum and Hakizimana. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly,” he added.
Local county commander Peter Mulinge informed the Nation newspaper that Kiptum lost control of his vehicle, colliding with a tree before landing in a ditch.
“This was a self-involved accident where one Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, was driving his vehicle with two passengers,” Mulinge stated. “Kiptum and Hakizimana died on the spot, and the third person was rushed to Racecourse hospital in Eldoret.”
Last week, Kiptum’s world record of 2 hours 0 minutes 35 seconds, which surpassed Eliud Kipchoge’s previous mark by 34 seconds, was ratified by World Athletics. He had also announced plans to become the first athlete to complete an official marathon in under two hours, scheduled for Rotterdam in April.
